Elle, the Body, Macpherson has told of how she can feel empowered through the use of legwear.

The Australian model, famous for her work on magazine covers and catwalks around the world in the late 1980s and early 1990s, told of how she gained the confidence she desired - through sexy stockings and hidden hosiery.

"When I was younger I used to wear stockings and suspenders under boys' jeans," she told Style magazine.

"It's a little secret. Lingerie can engender confidence."

Elle Macpherson is currently in charge of her own line of lingerie - Intimates - which she promotes in a way she hopes will mirror the style she believes the clothing captures - using a secretive yet sumptuous method online and in advertising.

In a racy shoot for Frances Playboy magazine, Marks & Spencer model Lily Cole has used socks to a distinct advantage by enhancing the impact of her front cover shot.

The supermodel cuddled a giant teddy bear in the feature, which was noted as taking inspiration from the cover of French musician Serge Gainsborough's 1971 album Histoire de Melody Nelson, except that jeans were traded for white hosiery.

Explaining the reasons as to why she did the photoshoot for the famous magazine in just her socks, Lily said: "Nudity has always existed in art, and I think that, given the right conditions, it doesn't necessarily "debase" any more than it celebrates or represents the human body."

It was reported today that 20-year-old Lily was starting a course at Cambridge University in history of art.

A reporter for a national newspaper has found a healthy way to use old tights as an opportunity to drive oneself towards a comfortable and free fitness kick.

Peta Bee noted that many people could now not afford the gym and that this could lead, in effect, to an unfit nation.

As part of a three-stage advice column in the Times which recommended the use of baked bean tins and shopping bags for the upper body, she noted that hosiery could also be harnessed.

Called the "sixty-denier row", Ms Bee uses tights as a resistance aid, sitting on the floor with knees slightly bent and tights under both feet. With palms facing inward, grabbing the tights and with elbows kept close to the body, people should make rowing motions, holding each movement for two seconds, doing it 30 times.

Another person getting great exercise in tights is 14-year-old Matthew Leonardi, the first American boy invited to join Russia' Bolshoi Ballet School in Moscow.

Broadcaster Sir David Attenborough dropped in to talk to Salford University attendees studying wildlife documentary production to launch the course with some fun facts.

The wildlife veteran, who famously interacted with gorillas directly as part of his BBC shows, told of how he combined custard powder and silk tights to imitate the sound of polar bears rolling around in the snow.

Sir David used the hosiery trick to produce a more moving experience for the viewer while not interfering with the animals during filming.

He told the assembled masses: "Is the use of custard powder wholly irresponsible?

"Actually I'd argue it is wholly responsible. Polar bears are dangerous animals and to have sound with vision creates atmosphere and impact."

Sir David's most recent programme for the BBC was Life in Cold Blood, where he explained the lives of reptiles and amphibians.

Using the unlikely combination of tights and mohair from old stuffed toys, artist Michele Rashman has replicated her friend and hero Shaun Ryder in a new sculpture estimated to be worth £20,000.

The artist said that she based the creation on one of the Happy Mondays singer's most recent lines from the album Unkle Dysfunctional, where he refers to himself as a talented dog.

Ms Rashman told the Manchester Evening News: "There is something poignant about him being the performing dog, people see him as a cartoon character but really he is an incredible lyricist, a genius really."

The hosiery-based creation will be on show until Sunday at the Buy Art fair in Manchester.

Shaun Ryder collaborated with Gorillaz on Dare, the band's first number one single in the UK.

Presenter of ITV's This Morning, Fern Britton, wowed photographers this week after unveiling her new slimline look after dropping five dress sizes from a 22 to a 12.

In the ongoing changes to her style, Fern has embraced the latest trends, wearing a little black dress with this season's favourite accessory - red tights.

The TV star and face of Ryvita had previously denied that her weight loss was aided by a gastric band, fitted to restrict food intake - but after an emotional admission on her show, the public found out about her surgery.

However, the star looked healthy and happy in her stunning stockings at the Women of the Year Awards, joining such stars as Olympic winners Victoria Pendleton and Nicole Cooke.

The Women of the Year Awards were established in 1955 by Tony Lothian OBE to celebrate the achievements of the female gender.

In a study carried out for Northwestern University in Illinois this month, it was discovered that those who were superstitious were really crying out for order and control in the world.

Professor Adam Galinsky, who led the study, said that "mental gymnastics" such as superstitions were more likely to affect those who desired a grip on their lives, with lucky socks and other legwear being one of the symptoms commonly found in such people.

He continued: "While some misperceptions can be led or lead one astray, they're extremely common and most likely satisfy a deep and enduring psychological need."

According to a recent report for Deseret News in Utah, it was noted that baseball players were more likely to play better with lucky socks for the placebo effect alone.

A tights aficionado has given a few tips to those hoping to don an assortment of legwear this autumn, noting its flexibility for different shapes and sizes.

Debra D Bass of the St Louis Post-Dispatch said that the use of solid coloured tights or those with "subtle vertical lines" could make a person's shorter legs look longer and more slender, but as long as a person made sure to let their skirt drop an inch or two below the thigh's widest part.

She added that children could break pretty much any fashion rule in hosiery this autumn, except the main point of staying warm.

Ms Bass continued: "If the pattern is really wild and you're a kid, go for it. If you're an adult, add tall boots and a knee-length skirt to reduce the loudness factor."

One celebrity who cannot get enough of hosiery is Victoria Beckham, who applies lotion under socks before going to bed to keep her feet looking great.

The newest fashion to hit the streets in hosiery soon may not be for women but men, with "mantyhose" becoming a possible trend if one style guru gets his own way.

Harisnya, a self-confessed tights titan, wears and promotes the legwear for men and set up the organisation e-MANcipate in order to make the item of clothing acceptable for the male demographic.

The British-based website is serious, he added, while promoting the range of benefits tights and hosiery may provide gents in the modern world.

Harisnya said: "Going to work on a cold autumn day in regular trousers with 20 denier hose underneath helps to avoid getting cold.

"Plus you won't ever have to worry about losing or matching your socks."

Earlier this month, the Houston Chronicle said that colourful tights, leggings and socks were the way to go this autumn, with purple, orange, electric blue, yellow and red all hues of choice for budding fashionistas.

If wearing a jean skirt is irresistible this Winter, it is imperative that a person wears tights, it has been stated.

Megan Heise, writing for Canadian university newspaper Ubyssey, said that having seen a number of jean skirt faux pas over the last few weeks, a list needed to be compiled to follow fashionably - with tights being central to the trendiness.

Ms Heise added that, unlike many other fashions, leggings were not as suited to the denim skirt as it was slightly more formal than other things, which also means that trainers do not suit the look as well.

According to the New York Times, designer Junya Watanabe made an "appealingly urban" ensemble for the catwalk last week including a denim skirt.

A fashion follower has provided legwear lovers with five definitive ways to update their look this autumn.

Shahnaz Khan of WorldNow said that tights were the "easiest and thriftiest way to update any look", with opaque legwear in solid colours noted as a great choice as well as striped or plaid-printed tights, which got top marks for style.

Textured hosiery which used lace and crochet was also more than welcome.

Ms Khan warned: "Be careful not to overdo it though.

"The more of a statement you make on your legs, the simpler your entire outfit should be."

Alongside tights, Ms Khan also noted that scarves, vests, belts and "statement necklaces" were all instrumental in current fashion, with the chunky jewellery being particularly important to customisation.

New Bond girl Olga Kurylenko, who is to star in this autumn's Quantum of Solace, was noted by the Daily Telegraph as wearing statement necklaces throughout the movie.

Sarah Jessica Parker has been noted as mimicking her on-screen persona through her choice of legwear this week when she turned up to a Chanel event.

The star of Sex and the City turned up to the Mobile Launch event wearing clothes not dissimilar to Carrie Bradshaw from the show, with a one-shoulder dress and a cardigan being paired up with two-tone tights - turning opaque at the knee and above.

She joined other stars such as Helena Christensen and Agyeness Deyn, who also paired black tights with their outfits at the fash bash in New York City.

Popular rapper Eve also stepped up the legwear embrace by choosing to wear leggings alongside a sequined outfit.

Earlier this month, designer Patricia Field, who designed the outfits for Carrie Bradshaw on the US hit show, launched a fashion line for Marks & Spencer.

If businesses let their staff work from home one day a week from now until Christmas, employees could afford to buy loads of novelty socks, strange new analysis shows.

The study conducted by tech specialists Aastra states that commuters with a 50 mile round trip could save enough cash to by 58 pairs of novelty socks for the festive season if their bosses let them work from home once each week.

If they did not need that many pairs of novelty socks, Brits could use their savings to invest in 3,400 fair lights or 1,560 migraine tablets, depending on what sort of Christmas they have.

Earlier this year, a blogger writing for the Affordable Luxuries website said novelty socks make a "great small gift", when paired with a unique card.

She added that easy ideas like this are really useful for busy mothers as they save time and money.

Wet-look tights, such as those made from PVC can "instantly" transform a look, says one blogger.
A fashionista writing for PopSugar explains she donned a pair of purple wetlook tights because the shade matched a floral print dress she had.

The trend is gradually creeping across the catwalks and the legwear is very flattering to wear, she continues.

"Unlike opaque tights, wet-look tights do not stretch much which means they are not super comfortable," the blogger states, adding: "I also found that the tights looked great with a black t-shirt dress and chunky pirate boots."

Earlier this month, fashion commentator Jo Davison reviewed the hosiery for the South Yorkshire Star, noting Kate Moss has been seen out and about in the shiny legwear.

She said the hosiery trend is not just for really shiny opaque tights, adding the hosiery has a rubbery feel and "incredibly high shine".

Although the trend is not for the faint-hearted, leggings and tights are a great way to transform an average outfit into one of a fashionista, a style guru has said.

Gill Hart gave her expert guidance in a piece for Suite101.com, commenting that novelty investments were great for people willing to go against a traditionally conservative and discreet season for fashion.

She asserted that although the weather may be cold, there is still no excuse to pass on legwear as it is the season to show off pins to the public.

Ms Hart added: "With labels such as Anna Sui, Dolce and Gabbana, Chanel, Gucci and Miss Sixty giving a nod to the legwear trend on the fall fashion runways, this look has certainly found some 'legs' in more ways than one!"

Earlier this month, Lindsay Lohan released her newest line of leggings, named 6126 after Marilyn Monroe's birthdate.

Hosiery's role in fashion's history is an important one, with old styles coming back into fashion, it has been stated.

With trends from the past and present meeting in the coming months, WhatsWear.com highlighted the wide array of choice available, with leggings of every colour and patterned tights now fair game in any outfit.

Matching legwear with shirt skirts and boots is most definitely in this season, it added, with thinner sheer hosiery looking better with smaller shoes and thicker tights being more suited to booted ladies.

It added: "In embracing hosiery, you are making a conscience decision to help fuel future designers desires to create beautiful leggings that will continue to change and dictate the direction of fashion."

Daring to be different, Sex and the City's Sarah Jessica Parker donned a pair of two-tone tights to Chanel's recent art installation.